Language progress

[marydell]

Charlie has just discovered the word toddlers love second-best: "why?" ("no!" being first best)

We celebrated by having the first of what will be many hundred identical conversations:

Me: Charlie, [do _____].
Charlie: Why?
Me: Because I said so.
Charlie: *ignores*

Comments

[noveldevice.livejournal.com]

My mom's stock answer for why questions about natural (or unnatural) processes was "Magic". She was then really genuinely shocked when I grew up with a propensity to believe in magic. It was weird.

[sanguinity]

With the 3.5yo I hang out with, I like to respond, "What?" and then I'll continue on with who, when, etc. He has the good taste to think it's funny. ;-)

[mamagotcha.livejournal.com]

My best advice for those besieged by the whys (not that you asked) is to turn it back on them:

Me: Charlie, please pick up your toys.
Charlie: Why?
Me: Why do you think you need to pick up your toys?
Charlie: So we don't trip on them (or So you don't throw them away, or So the dog doesn't chew them up, or whatever reason you've been drilling into his sweet little skull for the last few months)
Me: That's right! Thank you!

[marydell.livejournal.com]

That's a very good idea--I'll use that once he's actually conversational. Right now he's at about 30 words :)

[ashnistrike.livejournal.com]

That's cool! (Bobby hasn't yet figured out any causality-related language--no "why"s and still fuzzy on the "when"s. "No!" is pretty well practiced, though.)

[marydell.livejournal.com]

I assume this is a word he's picked up at school, along with saying that anything he doesn't want to eat is "hot."